Officials: Stay Safe on the Road this Labor Day Weekend

(ABC 6 News) -- Close to 30 million drivers are expected to hit the roads this holiday weekend. Some may already be at your destination, for others yet to leave, make sure to plan ahead. There's some highways in our area you may want to steer clear of.

Labor Day weekend is last big weekend of summer, and one of the busiest travel times of the year.

"Just have to deal with it,” said driver Tim Pleth.

"Going to take a chance and hit the road,” said driver Allison Erler.

So what does it take to miss the traffic, ABC 6 News asked drivers their strategies.

"I left work early today and we got on the road at 2:30,” said Keevan Kosidowski.

"Back roads,” said Erler.

"GPS if we need to,” said Pleth.

"Just go with the flow,” said motorcyclist, Jerrod Bandal.

There's parts of our area where the flow isn't moving too fast no matter what you do. A few construction projects in our area that could affect travel include construction on I-35 through Owatonna.

"We did drive by Owatonna North, construction was backed up quite a ways,” said Pleth.

You'll also most likely run into trouble on I-90 in Winona County and I-90 East from Stewartville to Eyota.

"I think just planning ahead is the big thing,” said Mike Dougherty, MnDOT.

Officials urge drivers to stay alert, stay off your phone and, if the road gets down to one lane remember the zipper merge.

"We ask that people stay in both lanes until there's a sign that says when to actually merge, it's more efficient, it gets more traffic through safe than have everything back up in one single lane,” he said.

Law enforcement is another agency that wants to make sure everyone has a safe weekend on the roads. State Patrol says there will be extra DWI enforcement, so plan for a sober ride.

"Take your time and just chill out it's you'll get there you'll get there it's be a good weekend,” said Pleth.